DAY 1: UK - Calgary.
Fly to Calgary where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 2: Calgary - Banff. Included sightseeing.
The discovery of oil converted this western cattle ranching town into a thriving, sophisticated city with skyscrapers and elegant shopping centres. On this morning's included tour you'll see many of the city's attractions, including the Saddledome. We then drive west into Banff National Park, and the mountain resort of Banff, gateway to the majestic Canadian Rockies.

DAY 3: Banff.
The day is yours to enjoy the many pleasures of Banff, one of Canada's favourite year-round resorts with summer activities including hiking, boating, and fishing. Perhaps you'd like to take an optional helicopter ride high over the Canadian Rockies? And in the evening, why not enjoy an optional cruise on Lake Minnewanka?

DAY 4: Banff - Lake Louise - Jasper National Park. Included orientation tour.
We travel first to Lake Louise, its azure-blue waters a perfect natural mirror, reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Another highlight is a stop at the Columbia Icefield for a snowcoach ride over the 1,200-foot-thick Athabasca Glacier. End the day with a short tour to experience Jasper's unspoiled beauty, where you'll stay for the next two nights.
Note: Unfavourable weather conditions may affect the availability of the Columbia Icefield snowcoach excursion.

DAY 5: Jasper.
Today why not join our optional trip to Maligne Lake, where you can enjoy a narrated cruise? On the return journey, we stop to view mighty Maligne Canyon.

DAY 6: Jasper - Rocky Mountaineer train - Kamloops.
Prepare for the trip of a lifetime as you board the famous Rocky Mountaineer for a two-day, all daylight, classic rail journey from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Coast. Passing Mount Robson, at 12,972 feet the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, the train follows the route of the 'Overlanders', 19th-century homesteaders who attempted to settle this rugged region. Follow the Thompson River and admire vistas of the Monashee Mountains. Your overnight stay is in Kamloops. (B, L)

DAY 7: Kamloops - Rocky Mountaineer - Vancouver.
Re-board the Rocky Mountaineer as it continues its amazing journey through the vast ranchlands along the South Thompson River, the stark beauty of the Fraser Canyon, the raging turbulence of Hell's Gate, where the mighty Fraser River funnels into a gap just 100 feet wide, and the fertile fields of the Fraser Valley, surrounded by the snow-capped Coast Mountains. Arriving at The Rocky Mountaineer Station in the late afternoon, you'll be taken to your Vancouver hotel for an overnight stay.
Note: Continental breakfast and a cold lunch are included on board the Rocky Mountaineer; snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are also provided free of charge. It will be necessary to pack an overnight bag for the train journey. Suitcases will be checked-in for the entire journey and will be unavailable for the night in Kamloops.
(See page 205 for more train details.) (B, L)

DAY 8: Vancouver - Victoria. Included sightseeing.
Morning sightseeing focuses on Vancouver's beautiful beaches and harbour, Chinatown, Gastown, and lovely Stanley Park. Afterwards, set sail across the Strait of Georgia through the spectacular Gulf Islands, an area known for its Mediterranean-like climate. Afternoon sightseeing in Victoria includes world-famous Butchart Gardens, Bastion Square, and Thunderbird Park with its unusual collection of totem poles.

DAY 9: Victoria.
Be sure to discover some of the attractions this splendid city has to offer, including the Royal British Columbia Museum, afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel, whale watching cruise on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and fine shopping along Government Street.

DAY 10: Victoria - Vancouver - MS Statendam cruise.
Morning departure for Vancouver. Transfer to Vancouver Holland America Line Cruise terminal for embarkation. Sailing time is around 5pm. Please see page 217 for the description of the MS Statendam. (D)

DAY 11: Inside Passage Cruising.
The beauty of the Inside Passage will amaze you as you cruise through 1,000 miles of epic scenery, towering glaciated mountains, roaring waterfalls, endless islands and virgin rainforests. There is also plenty of animal and marine life to look out for including sea lions, eagles and porpoises. (B, L, D)

DAY 12: Cruising - Juneau.
An afternoon arrival in Juneau, Alaska's lovely capital. The city has a Gold Rush story to rival that of Klondike, and is only accessible by seaplane or boat. An optional wildlife cruise and salmon fishing will normally be available, and you'll also have the opportunity to take an optional excursion to Juneau's own glacier, Mendenhall. This impressive river of blue ice is about 1.5 miles wide and over 12 miles long! (B, L, D)

DAY 13: Cruising - Skagway.
Morning arrival in Skagway, Alaska's gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush in Canada's Yukon. Skagway was the turbulent staging point for prospectors and still has old-fashioned weathered boardwalks and old-time saloons. Optional sightseeing includes a ride in a vintage parlour car to see the White Pass and Yukon route. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore some more, before setting sail again late this evening. (B, L, D)

DAY 14: Cruising - Glacier Bay.
Cruise into spectacular Glacier Bay early this morning. Forests give way to a rugged landscape rising to rocky peaks. Sixteen huge mountains converge to create an awe-inspiring panoramic wonder, a spectacular scene of awesome glaciers and massive icebergs. Wildlife is abundant, and you may spot eagles, seals, mountain goats, moose and bears in their natural habitat. (B, L, D)

DAY 15: Cruising - Ketchikan.
A mid-morning arrival in colourful Ketchikan, known as the 'Salmon Capital of the World'. Here, a picturesque harbour shelters fishing boats and seaplanes. A wide choice of optional excursions will be available, including an outing to see Indian Heritage Villages, Totem Bight State Park and flightseeing to Misty Fjords National Monument. Mid-evening departure from Ketchikan. (B, L, D)

DAY 16: Cruising.
Continue cruising south along British Columbia's spectacular coastline. (B, L, D)

DAY 17: Vancouver - UK.
On arrival at the cruise terminal, you will be transferred to Vancouver airport for your overnight flight to the UK. (B)

DAY 18: Home landing in the UK.